Asyraf said the six students were expelled after an investigation found that they were involved in bullying their juniors.

He said bullying was not a matter to be taken lightly. “I have repeatedly emphasised that I will not compromise on any form of bullying. What happened in Besut is very disappointing for me,” he said, Bernama reported.

“I cannot forgive any form of bullying … I am firm on this matter,” he told reporters after an Umno meeting in Pasir Mas today.

Five of the students, aged between 15 and 17, have been taken into custody in connection with the case after a 14-year-old student reported that he was forced to squat with slippers on his head for 40 minutes at about 11.30pm on Tuesday.

He also alleged he was punched in the stomach and slapped in the face by several Form 3 students at the hostel.